Clutch Options (Replace, repair, Upgrade?) for 79 HD

chefjuke@chefjuke.com · 02-29-2016, 04:59 PM

A friend just bought a 1979 HD golf cart and we're beginning to get to know it.

Engine runs good (once we got the points adjusted) but after first test, the Drive/Primary clutch does not seem to be engaging. Next step will be to confirm oil level and then perhaps actually read the manual, but was looking for some advice info from this group

In researching the clutches on these things, I found they are hard to come by. None available on ebay last I checked and all of the places that seemed to have had them don't right now. Later HD model clutches are around and other brands (Yamaha, EZ-Go) clutches seem to be available.

While I'm hoping to be able to get this one running, I'd like to be able to at least have either a spare OR the option to change over to a more readily available clutch replacement. Did some searching but haven't been able to find anything on this.

So, my question is... can a different model/manufacturer's clutch be used on this cart (with modifications on one side or the other) to anyone's knowledge? Seems like there should be a way to use a different clutch on this puppy by machining some parts to match..

Any advice/info greatly appreciated.

-Juke

73eldo · 03-01-2016, 10:20 AM

I think the spline count size and length is different on the earlier vs later carts. The spline part of the shaft is part of the crank so you would have to change the crank to change the clutch. Crank parts are not any easier to come by than clutch parts.

johnny reb · 03-02-2016, 08:15 PM

make sure it has the right belt. i bought a cart a few months ago the cart ran fine but it didnt have a appropriate belt on it so it wouldnt move. have you pushed in on the clutch to see if it is locked up?

Lochlin · 03-03-2016, 02:28 PM

Guys,

I don't know those older carts all that well but isn't the spline portion of the crankshaft only towards the front of the motor and not the clutch? Is the rear part tapered where the clutch attaches? If so, would a "newer" style Comet work?

The only pre-80s HD I have worked on is my father-in-law's and it never involved any clutch work.

73eldo · 03-04-2016, 09:54 AM

On the 70's version the inner part of the clutch fit on the tapper then the outer part fit on the splines. The crank is what held the halves of the clutch together.

The comet style I believe is more or less a self contained pulley that attaches to a tapper shaft.

Lochlin · 03-04-2016, 01:52 PM

Yeah, with the Comets, there are no splines, just the tapered shaft. I didn't realize the earlier cranks were splined. Good to know.

chefjuke@chefjuke.com · 03-05-2016, 03:03 AM

All,

Thanks for the suggestions so far. Going to dig back into it tomorrow and take a closer look at what's actually going on.

Will report back and probably have more questions when I have had a better look at the problem.

Randy_waterhouse · 03-20-2016, 01:43 PM

We drained and refilled the clutch and it seems to be working fine now, next step we think is the carb. The cart runs and catches, but only if we mess with the choke.

02-29-2016, 04:59 PM	#1
chefjuke@chefjuke.com Not Yet Wild Join Date: Feb 2016 Posts: 2	Clutch Options (Replace, repair, Upgrade?) for 79 HD A friend just bought a 1979 HD golf cart and we're beginning to get to know it. Engine runs good (once we got the points adjusted) but after first test, the Drive/Primary clutch does not seem to be engaging. Next step will be to confirm oil level and then perhaps actually read the manual, but was looking for some advice info from this group In researching the clutches on these things, I found they are hard to come by. None available on ebay last I checked and all of the places that seemed to have had them don't right now. Later HD model clutches are around and other brands (Yamaha, EZ-Go) clutches seem to be available. While I'm hoping to be able to get this one running, I'd like to be able to at least have either a spare OR the option to change over to a more readily available clutch replacement. Did some searching but haven't been able to find anything on this. So, my question is... can a different model/manufacturer's clutch be used on this cart (with modifications on one side or the other) to anyone's knowledge? Seems like there should be a way to use a different clutch on this puppy by machining some parts to match.. Any advice/info greatly appreciated. -Juke

03-01-2016, 10:20 AM	#2
73eldo Gone Wild Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: St. Paul Minneapolis MN USA Posts: 522	Re: Clutch Options (Replace, repair, Upgrade?) for 79 HD I think the spline count size and length is different on the earlier vs later carts. The spline part of the shaft is part of the crank so you would have to change the crank to change the clutch. Crank parts are not any easier to come by than clutch parts.

03-03-2016, 02:28 PM	#4
Lochlin Gone Wild Join Date: May 2011 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 2,953	Re: Clutch Options (Replace, repair, Upgrade?) for 79 HD Guys, I don't know those older carts all that well but isn't the spline portion of the crankshaft only towards the front of the motor and not the clutch? Is the rear part tapered where the clutch attaches? If so, would a "newer" style Comet work? The only pre-80s HD I have worked on is my father-in-law's and it never involved any clutch work.

03-04-2016, 09:54 AM	#5
73eldo Gone Wild Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: St. Paul Minneapolis MN USA Posts: 522	Re: Clutch Options (Replace, repair, Upgrade?) for 79 HD On the 70's version the inner part of the clutch fit on the tapper then the outer part fit on the splines. The crank is what held the halves of the clutch together. The comet style I believe is more or less a self contained pulley that attaches to a tapper shaft.

03-04-2016, 01:52 PM	#6
Lochlin Gone Wild Join Date: May 2011 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 2,953	Re: Clutch Options (Replace, repair, Upgrade?) for 79 HD Yeah, with the Comets, there are no splines, just the tapered shaft. I didn't realize the earlier cranks were splined. Good to know.

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03-05-2016, 03:03 AM	#7
chefjuke@chefjuke.com Not Yet Wild Join Date: Feb 2016 Posts: 2	Re: Clutch Options (Replace, repair, Upgrade?) for 79 HD All, Thanks for the suggestions so far. Going to dig back into it tomorrow and take a closer look at what's actually going on. Will report back and probably have more questions when I have had a better look at the problem.

03-20-2016, 01:43 PM	#8
Randy_waterhouse Not Yet Wild Join Date: Feb 2016 Posts: 1	Re: Clutch Options (Replace, repair, Upgrade?) for 79 HD We drained and refilled the clutch and it seems to be working fine now, next step we think is the carb. The cart runs and catches, but only if we mess with the choke.

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